Sled-motor



Patented Nov. 29, I898. J. G. SARTER.

8 L E D M O T O R.

(Application filed Nov. 18, 1897.)

2 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

No. 614,990. Patented Nov'. 29, I898.

J. G. SARTER.

SLED MOTOR.

(Application filed Nov. 18, 1897.) (No ModeL) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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NITED STATES J OIIN G. SARTER, OF CANDO, NORTH DAKOTA.

SLED-MOTOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 614,990, dated November 29, 1898.

Application filed November 18, 1897. Serial No. 659,032- (N'o model.)

To 66 whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN G. SARTER, a cit-izen of the United States, residing at Cando, in the county of Towner and State of North Dakota, have invented a new and useful Sled- Motor, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in sled-motors designed to carry a load, such as baggage or provisions, and to be propelled by foot-power and steered by hand-power for traveling over icy or snow-covered surfaces; and one object that I have in view is to provide an improved propelling mechanism designed to utilize the weight of the occupant to assist in forcing or moving the vehicle over ice or snow.

A further object that I have in view is to provide an improved vehicle with means by which it may be sustained in the water to render the vehicle buoyant, so that it may be propelled to good advantage across streams, lakes, and rivers, which buoyant means may be detached and arranged compactly upon the frame of the vehicle, if desired.

\Vith these ends in view the invention consists in the novel combination of elements and in the construction and arrangement of parts,which will be hereinafter fullydescribed and claimed.

To enable others to understand my invention, I have illustrated the preferred embodiment thereof in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in WlllCl1- Figure 1 is a plan View of a sled-motor constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation with the floats detached. Fig. 3is a similar elevation showing by full lines the floats attached to the sides of the frame in operative relation thereto and by dotted lines the floats arranged on top of the vehicle-frame. Fig. 4 is an enlarged View of the treadle-wheel. Fig. 5 is a detail view, partly in section, illustrating the means for joining together the contiguous ends of fenders on one side of the vehicle-frame. Fig. (i is a detail view in elevation of one of the floats.

Like numerals of reference denote corresponding parts in each of the several figures of the drawings.

The main frame of my vehicle consists of the longitudinal bars 1 and the transverse bars 2, which are suitably joined together to present a substantial and rigid structure. This main frame is sustained in a horizontal position at a suitable height above the runners 3, which lie below and in the vertical plane of the side bars 1 of the frame. The front ends, of the runners 3 are curved or bowed upwardly at 4 to overhang the front end of the horizontal frame, and said runners carry the knees 5, which are fastened to the cross rails or bars 2 of the frame and to the upper side of the runners, substantially as shown by Fig. 2. Vertical braces or stays 6 are provided between the runners and the side bars 1 of the main horizontal frame, and these stays are secured to the respective parts in any suitable way.

I also employ stays 6 in connection with a supplemental frame formed by the side fen ders, one of which is secured to the crossbars 2 within the plane of the runners and the side bars 1, and these fenders carry the propelling-wheel and the treadle-wheel, so that the floats, when placed on top of the main frame, will not interfere with the propelling or treadle wheels, said floats being out of the way of the occupant of the vehicle.

The propelling-wheel is indicated at 7 in the drawings. This wheel consists of two rims 8, two sets of spokes 9, and two hubs 10, all of which are rigidly secured together in a suitable way. The rims with their respective spokes and hubs are spaced at suitable intervals laterally in relation to each other, and the space between said rims and hubs is spanned by a series of paddles 11, which are fastened to the radial spokes 9 of the wheel in a suitable way-as, for instance, by bolts. These paddles 11 are arranged in radial positions with relation to the wheel, and they lie within the rims 8, so as to prevent the paddles from coming in contact with the surface when the sled is propelled over ice or snow. To enable the propelling-wheel to secure good contact with the surface in traveling over ice, I provide the propelling Wheel with a series of radial spurs or teeth 12, which are fastened to the peripheral edges of the rims 8 and spokes and which protrude a suitable distance beyond said rims to enable the spurs or teeth to penetrate the ice, and thus obtain sufficient hold there- 011 to prevent the wheel from slipping when the vehicle is in motion. This propellingwheel 7 has its hubs 10 mounted upon a transverse horizontal axle 13, supported in suitable bearings let on the vertically-mo valole pair of rear fenders of the main horizontal frame. Said propelling-wheel is arranged at the rear part of the vehicle, and in advance of said propelling-wheel is arranged the treadle-wheel 15. The treadle-wheel consists of two or more disks or rims 16, two series of treadles 17 18, and a shaft 19. This shaft is journalcd in suitable bearings 20, supported in elevated positions on the front pair of side fenders. The disks or rims 16 of the treadle-wheel are spaced on the shaft a suitable distance to accommodate between them the two series of treadles 17 18, and these trcadles occupy different vertical planes and they lie radially to the axis of the shaft 15). The treadles are also arranged in alternate relation to each other and are spaced a sufficient distance apart to enable the occupant of the vehicle to step from the treadle of one series onto the following treadle of the next series in the revolution of the treadlewheel under the weight of the operator standing thereon. The treadle-wheel and the propelling-wheel are operatively connected together by any suitable form of gearing, and in the embodiment of the invention shown by the accompanying drawings the treadlewheel is provided near each end of its shaft with sprocket-wheels 21, around which pass the endless sprocket-chains 22, that engage with sprocket-pinions 23 on the hubs of the propelling-wheel 7.

On each side of the machine I arrange the fenders 2t 25. The fender 2% is situated adjacent to one end of the treadle-wheel 15 and it rests upon the main horizontal frame. The front end of the fender is tapered and it engages with one of the vertical stay-rods 6. The wide rear end of the fender 24 is provided at its upper side with a lug or arm 26, which fits on another of the vertical stay-rods, and in the vertical face of this wide rear end of the fender is provided a vertical groove or channel 27, for a purpose presently to be explained. The fender 25 is arranged opposite to the propellingwheel 7, and its frame is constructed to fit on the other stays 6, forming a part of the framework of the vehicle, and the front end of the fender 25 is extended beyond the vertical stay 0, on which fits the arm of the fender 24-, so that said extended front end of the fender is adapted to fit in the groove or channel 27 of the front fender 2%, whereby the two fenders are sustained in proper operative relation to each other and to the main frame of the vehicle. It will be understood that these fenders 24 25 are duplicated on the opposite side of the framework of the vehicle and that said fenders prevent objects from lodging against the ends of the treadle-wheel and the propelling-wheel.

On the front transverse rail 2 of the main frame is secured a suitable guide 28, through which passes an upright steering stem or spindle 29. The upper end of this steering stem or spindle is provided with a suitable handle 30, and to the lower end of said stem or spindle is secured a steering-runner 31. This steering device is arranged centrally at the front end of the vehicle and in advance of the treadle-wheel, so that the operator may grasp and manipulate the steering device while standing on the treadle-wheel, and in this relation the steering-runner 31 is designed to serve in a twofold capacity-t 8., it is adapted to glide over the surface of the ice for the purpose of deflecting the course of the vehicle when traveling over icy or snowy surfaces and as a rudder when the vehicle floats on the water.

At the rear end of the vehicle I provide a platform 32, which projects beyond the main frame for a suitable distance. This platform is attached at its front end to the main frame, and it is supported by means of the stays 33, which are fastened to the rear end of said platform, to the vertical stays (5 at the rear of the machine, and to the side bars 1 of the frame. This platform provides a convenient receptacle on which baggage, provisions, or merchandise may be stored for convenient transportation. It will be noted that the treadle-wheel is arranged on one side of the propelling-wheel and the platform for the load occupies a position on the opposite side of the propelling-wheel, whereby the weight of the occupant or operator and the load is equally distributed on the vehicle.

To render the vehicle bouyant, I provide the floats 35. Two or more of these floats are preferably used, one on each side of the vehicle, and each fioat is of a length equal to that of the main frame of the vehicle. Each float may consist of a light sheet-metal structure, or it may be made of air-proof fabric. In case the float is made of fabric it should be provided with a suitable inflating-nozzle, and such fabric construction of the float enables it to be folded compactly together for storage upon the platform or other part of the vehicle. Each float is beveled or pointed at the front end thereof, and on one side it has a fiat wall 36, thus making the Heat present an irregular cross-sectional contour. When the floats are to be used to impart bouyancy to the vehicle for the purpose of navigating a stream of water, they are adjusted with their fiat sides againstthe sides of the vehicle, substantially as shown by Fig. 3, and said floats are held in position by the straps 37, which are passed around the floats and the vertical stays G of the vehicle structure. The floats when in operative relation occupy the spaces between the runners and the main horizontal frame, and they thus sustain the vehicle, so that its frame and the treadle-wheel are raised a suitable distance out of the water. In case the floats are made of sheet metal the straps may be loosened to permit the floats to be detached and to be placed upon the main frame with their flat sides resting directly upon the longitudinal rails 1 of said frame. The floats are thus adapted to be disposed out of the way of the operator, and they may be held in such positions by the straps, which pass around the floats and the rails 1 of the frame, substantially as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 3.

This being the construction of my sled-vehicle, the operation may be described, briefly, as follows: The operator stands upon one of the radial treadles of the treadle-wheel, and his weight depresses the treadle and imparts the initial impulse to said treadle-wheel. As the treadle descends the operator steps onto the following treadle of the other series of treadles, and his weight is thus utilized to continue the revolution of the treadle-wheel, and this operation is continued to impart continuous motion to the treadle-Wheel, the operator stepping from the treadle of one series onto the treadle of the other series during such continued rotation of the treadle-Wheel. This rotary movement of the treadle-Wheel is communicated through the sprocket-chains 22 to the propelling-wheel 7, and the latter is thus rotated in a manner to force or shove the vehicle along. XVhen traveling over ice or snow, the teeth or spurs 12 and the paddles ll operate to propel the vehicle; but when the vehicle floats on the water the paddles 11 answer the purpose, as in an ordinary paddlewheel for the propulsion of boats.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings, it will be apparent that I have provided an extremely simple construction of sled-vehicle, which may be used to good advantage on the water as well as over icy or snowy surfaces. It will also be evident that the propelling-wheel is rotated by the treadle-wheel, which utilizes the weight of the person or occupant as the means of imparting motion to the vehicle.

The device is easily controlled and steered by the proper operation of the steering-runner 31.

It is evident that slight changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In a sled-vehicle, a treadle-wheel consisting of rims or disks, and two series of treadles arranged in different vertical planes and in alternate relation to each other, in combination with a propelling-wheel, and gearing operatively connecting the treadlewheel with the propelling-wheel,substantially as and for the purposes described.

2. In a sled-vehicle, a treadle-wheel consisting of a shaft, the spaced rims or disks, the two series of radial treadles arranged in different vertical planes and in alternate relation to each other, and suitable sprocketwheels in combination with a propellingwheel provided with sprocket wheels, and sprocket-chains fitted to the sprocket-wheels of said treadle-wheel and the propelling-wheel, substantially as described.

3. A sled vehicle comprising a suitable frame having stay-rods, a pair of fenders mounted on said frame and carrying bearings, a treadle-wheel having its shaft journaled in said bearings, another pair of fenders vertically adjustable on said stay-rods of the frame and carrying shaft-bearings, a propelling-wheel journaled in said bearings of the adjustable fenders, and transmitting-gearing between said wheels, substantially as described.

4. A sled-vehicle comprising a frame having the stay-rods, a pair of fenders fixed to said frame, a treadle-wheel journaled in bearings on the fixed fenders, a pair of verticallyadjustable fenders slidably attached to the fixed fenders and supported by the stay-rods, a propelling-wheel journaled in said adjustable fenders and movable therewith, and transmitting -gearing between said wheels, substantially as described.

5. A sled-vehicle comprising a frame, a treadle-wheel mounted thereon and having two sets of treadles, a propelling-wheel pro vided with paddles which lie within suitable projections or spurs thereon, and transmitting-gearing between the treadle and propelling wheels, substantially as described.

6. A sled vehicle comprising a suitable frame equipped with runners, a propelling- Wheel journaled on said frame, operating mechanism for rotating the propelling-wheel, and longitudinal floats attached to said frame, substantially as described.

7. The combination with a frame, of a sled vehicle and a propelling mechanism carried thereby, of longitudinal floats, each provided with a flat side adapted to be applied against said frame, and straps for detachably holding the floats on the side or upon said frame of the vehicle, substantially as and for the purposes described.

8. A sled-vehicle comprising a suitable frame equipped with runners, a propellingwheel, a load-carrying platform supported by said frame on one side of the propelling-wheel, a treadle wheel journaled in the frame in advance of the propelling-wheel and operatively connected therewith through suitable gearing, and a steering device mounted in the frame in advance of the treadle-wheel, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN G. SARTER.

Witnesses:

JAMES MoINTosH, D. K. BRIGHTBILL. 

